Wine quenches economy, growers thirst

Michigan wineries blossom, but grapes are in short supply.

Michigan wineries blossom, but grapes are in short supply.

October 05, 2006|JOHN BRONZ Capital News Service

LANSING -- The Michigan wine industry reached record numbers this year, opening five new wineries. A major problem is the supply of Michigan grapes can't keep up with the demand, according to the Michigan Department of Agriculture. "I get around 90 percent of my grapes from Michigan, but sometimes I have to go out of state and then I barely have enough to last me through the year," said Amy Gagnon, owner of Stoney Acres Winery in Alpena, Mich. Stoney Acres produces more than 1,000 gallons of wine per year, she said. It specializes in fruit and concord varieties, and it's working on creating chocolate wine truffles. The future may include a bed and breakfast, selling through a distributor, and developing a merlot. "The community feels the winery belongs to them, and I get huge support," said Gagnon. "This is another destination for tourists, along with the lighthouses and brewing company." Because of the supply problem, the Department of Agriculture may soon award grants through the Agricultural Innovation Fund to help current and future growers of wine grapes. Terrace Hill Vineyards, in Berrien County, and Chateau Operations, in Grand Traverse County, applied for grants more than $25,000 each to upgrade their vineyards to increase supply to local wineries. Paradigm Viticultural Services, based in Van Buren County, applied for more than $90,000 to assist potential and new wine growers throughout Michigan. The startup cost for a potential wine grower is between $7,000 and $10,000, according to Ron Perry, chair of Michigan State University's Horticulture Department and a member of the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council. "The grower on average will not see results until four years down the road," said Perry. "The up-front investment is an expensive proposition." The wine council's goal is 10,000 acres of land growing wine grapes by 2024, from the more than 4,000 acres now.